by Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe is developing an e-agriculture strategy to lay the roadmap for the use of ICTs to achieve the country’s agricultural vision and national development objectives.
This was said by President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the 9th Smart Africa virtual meeting held yesterday.
“In the case of Zimbabwe, an e-agriculture strategy is being developed to lay the roadmap for the use of ICT to achieve the country’s agricultural vision and national development objectives.
“In addition, we are developing the Agriculture Information Management System and other related applications to monitor and manage agricultural activities. Comprehensive software has been launched, re-classifying our ecological zones in response to climate change as well as to inform policy and farming practices,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa further said that more resources should be channeled to the development and manufacturing of ICT solutions and gadgets.
“Riding on the opportunities presented by the stressing COVID-19 pandemic, concrete innovations, inventions and penetration of ICTs has been witnessed across the entire economic spectrum in our country.
“As a continent, we must allocate more resources for the development and manufacturing of ICT solutions and gadgets,” said the President.
The President told delegates of the virtual meeting that Zimbabwe was developing the Agriculture Information Management System and other related applications to monitor and manage agricultural activities.
He went on to say that comprehensive software had been launched in response to climate change, as well as to inform policy and farming practices.
President Mnangagwa said Smart Africa must be used to realise socio-economic integration and intra-Africa trade as envisaged in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“To fully exploit the immense potential of ICTs, inclusive guidelines continue to be developed, deployed and managed for national development and transformation.
“Key among these is Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan, which permeates through integrated sector specific pillars. This will see Smart Solutions being deployed to achieve Smart Government, Smart Agriculture, Smart Cities, Smart Education, Smart Transport and Smart Health,” said President Mnangagwa.
Smart Africa is a partnership of 31 countries meant to accelerate socio-economic development through the use of ICTs and better access to broadband services. Zimbabwe only joined Smart Africa, this year.
This year’s Smart Africa meeting was virtually attended by several Heads of State and Government and other officials from the African Union, African Development Bank, World Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and other development partners.
